In mid-May, Renee Newberry, an English and Religion teacher at Archbishop Borders School, tuned into an outlet to which the school had pivoted — virtual Mass. Unlike many aspects of a socially-distanced life, however, the homily of then-Father Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., that day was anything but disappointing.
“We are an example of a community that loves each other,” Newberry remembers the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus/Sagrado Corazón de Jesús saying. In a society polarized by politics, separated by a deadly virus and tense over racial injustice, Newberry was struck by his encouragement to look no further than their own community for an example of people coming together.
Bishop Lewandowski became pastor of the Highlandtown parish, a campus which includes Borders School, in December 2016. Its constituents laud him as a joyful, unifying influence in one of the most historically diverse parishes within the archdiocese.
His emphasis on community and inclusion has made him a leading advocate for immigrants’ rights. The Archdiocese’s Parish ID program, a brainchild of the pastor, has aided many in the city who could not otherwise get an identification. Thanks to his leadership and coordination with city officials, the ID is accepted by area hospitals, schools and police.
Bishop Lewandowski will continue as pastor and as Archbishop William E. Lori’s vicar for Hispanic Ministry.
Bishop Lewandowski upped the ante on Spanish Mass with bilingual Masses. Newberry said that approach has benefited the diverse student population at Borders School, which has a dual English/Spanish curriculum.
“When he’s giving his homily, he says things in English, but then immediately says it (again) in Spanish,” said Newberry. “Everybody is getting to hear his message.”
“He never stops working,” said Estella Chavez, a catechist at Sacred Heart of Jesus, who explained that his efforts to minister to his ever-growing Hispanic community require a deft touch.
According to Chavez, Sacred Heart parishioners from Mexico, Guatemala and other Latin American countries have their own committees at the church, each looking for ways to worship in their own culturally distinct way.
“Father has the rare ability to be able to connect with all of those people from those diverse backgrounds,” said Chavez. “He celebrates this diversity.”
His work has not impeded him from forging deep, personal relationships with parishioners, such as Fredi Jobel, a truck driver from El Salvador who has lived in Baltimore for nearly 30 years.
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“Padre Bruce has helped me grow in my faith so much,” Jobel said. “He’s challenged me to take on new responsibilities, he’s helped me become a better father. He’s so very special to me.”
Newberry attributes the impact Bishop Lewandowski has on Borders students to the joy he brings to his ministry, citing a 2018 celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in which he led students in a vibrant, high-energy procession around the school.
“The kids see the joy that he takes in doing these kinds of celebrations, and it makes them important,” said Newberry. “This is one of the most welcoming schools I’ve ever worked in – (he) does this.”
An Ohio native, Bishop Lewandowski’s Spanish isn’t so native, but he has endeared himself to the community. Beyond the pride that Chavez, Jobel and other members of the community feel for having “one of their own” get this call, many see the choice as a recognition of the important role that Latin American Catholics continue to have in the U.S. Church.
“It’s an honor for the church, but it’s an honor for us to have him named bishop,” Chavez said.
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